A Florida man accused of leading a gang rape of a 15-year-old girl during a cruise to the Bahamas denied taking part in the alleged attack - but admitted Tuesday to plying the group with alcohol, according to reports.

Casey Dickerson, 31, was arrested Monday and thrown into Orange County Jail on sexual-assault charges after the incident on a Carnival Sensation cruise Sunday, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Dickerson, of Casselberry, declined to say what occured in the room, but repudiated the rape accusation.

Dickerson was reportedly on the cruise with his wife leaving from Port Canaveral on Aug. 16. The couple was upset about noise heard from inside their cabin and were given a second room - but were also permitted to keep the first one.

It's inside the original cabin where Dickerson allegedly hosted a booze-filled gathering with four underage boys as well as the 15-year-old girl and her 15-year-old friend, according to The Sentinel.

The girl told an FBI agent investigating the case that she was sexually assaulted by Dickerson and the boys while her friend was held inside the bathroom.

At one point, the girl claimed, someone knocked on the door and one of the boys answered, The Sentinel reported. When the person went away, the abuse continued, she told the FBI.

The alleged attack eventually ended, and the girl and her friend were allowed to leave.

She was later given a medical evaluation on the ship. According to authorities, the boys said Dickerson encouraged them to take part and he had given so much alcohol to the victim that she was helpless.

Dickerson also allegedly told investigators he had slept with other females on the cruise, but later denied the girl was among them, The Sentinel reported.

The boys weren't charged, and the U.S. Attorney's Office told the newspaper that the case is being reviewed before bringing possible charges against the juveniles.

In a statement, Carnival said it is "fully cooperating with law enforcement officials as the investigation continues."

Dickerson is supposed to remain in jail until a trial begins. He didn't sound entirely regretful Tuesday about his vacation experience.

Reader Comments

A married man on a relaxing cruise with his wife (allegedly) told investigators he had slept with other females on the cruise. Charming. There is a feeding frenzy on; women and young children are the maincourse.